While I was teaching a class a week or so ago, I realized that there are many art words that I use often and I have a kind of automatic explanation that I say out loud when I use them for the first time in class. I thought that would make a great series of blog posts because you might also hear these words and wonder: what does that mean?
This week’s word is baste.
The first image that might come to mind is Thanksgiving dinner, but in art, or fiber art more specifically, basting means to hold something together temporarily. Often that’s done with big running stitches in a contrasting colored thread, so it’s easy to see and remove later. I have basted sleeves into a shirt to make sure everything aligns perfectly before I sew it. You often baste in a zipper to make sure that the garment fits just right.
In my classes, I often use glue sticks to baste together pieces of felt before we sew them. Glue stick isn’t strong enough to hold something permanently, but it’s great to keep pieces from moving around while you stitch the edge.
Why use basting and not pins or clips? The best part about basting is that there’s nothing to get in the way. I can take a basted sleeve to the sewing machine and just sew; I don’t have to stop every few stitches and pull out a pin. Basting also doesn’t distort or bend your fabric like a pin can, so you can see if your zipper lies flat and fits the way it should.
